benign

benign /be·nign/ (bĕ-nīn´) not malignant; not recurrent; favorable for recovery.

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be·nign (b-nn)

adj.

Of no danger to health, especially relating to a tumorous growth; not malignant.

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Benign

In medical usage, benign is the opposite of malignant. It describes an abnormal growth that is stable, treatable and generally not life-threatening.

Mentioned in: Abdominal Ultrasound, Breast Cancer, Gallium Scan of the Body, Keratosis Pilaris, Skin Biopsy

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benign

[binīn′]

Etymology: L, benignus, kind

(of a tumor) noncancerous and therefore not a direct threat to life, even though treatment eventually may be required for health or cosmetic reasons. See also benign neoplasm. Compare malignant.

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benign,

adj noncancerous; descriptive term for tumors, moles, and growths.

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benign (bēnīn´),

adj a condition that, untreated or with symptomatic therapy, will not become life threatening. It is used particularly in relation to tumors, which may be benign or malignant. They do not invade surrounding tissues and do not metastasize to other parts of the body. The word is slightly imprecise, as some can, due to mass effect, cause life-threatening complications.

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benign

not malignant; not recurrent; favorable for recovery.

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benign enzootic paresis

see porcine viral encephalomyelitis.

benign fibrillators

horses with a history of poor performance in races which suffer an attack of atrial fibrillation during or immediately after a race which soon recovers spontaneously so that the abnormality often goes undetected.

benign footrot

occurs under very wet conditions. Caused by Dichelobacter nodosus of low virulence. There is dermatitis of the interdigital skin and minimal underrunning of horn at the heel. See also interdigital dermatitis.

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benign

adjective Not cancerous; not malignant; referring to a nonmalignant lesion or tumor that does not invade or metastasize, for which surgical excision is curative. Cf Malignant.